People


Post-doctoral Scholars and Graduate Students


Mina Mozafari

B.S. Chemistry, Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Iran, 2004

M.S. Physical Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 2008

Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada, 2017

mozafarm@uci.edu

Fun Fact:

Jessica Kelz

Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP – Chemistry) Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Mandarin Chinese Minor, US Naval Academy, 2008
jkelz@uci.edu

Fun Fact: While abroad before graduate school, Jessica spent over a year teaching children how to yodel. “If yodeling isn’t music, then I don’t know what music is” she says.

Jose Uribe

Physical Chemistry Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, Cal State San Bernardino, 2018

jluribe@uci.edu

Fun Fact: He is a light sleeper, but probably not the way you’d think. Most nights he sleeps with his eyes open so any stray light will wake him up. He says, it’s not as bad as it sounds though because at least he doesn’t have to worry about loud neighbors.

Megan Rocha

Chemical Biology Graduate Student

B.A. Chemistry, Whitman College, 2017

rochama@uci.edu

Fun Fact: Megan has a recurring dream about burrito babies, so now she insists on naming each one of the burritos she orders. Some of her favorites are Vegeta (vegetarian), Hamilton (carnitas), and Keegan (vegan).

Marquise Crosby

Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student

B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 2019

mcrosby@uci.edu

Fun Fact: His League of Legends screen name is Cardi B. He has an app that generates sound bites of her and uses only that to communicate with teammates during the game…OKURRR?!

Gemma Takahashi

Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student

B.S. Geobiology, California Institute of Technology, 2019

grtakaha@uci.edu

Fun Fact: Gemma insists that the only way to cut a grilled cheese, is along the cheese.

Also pictured: Prince, the fridge formerly known as 380 to 435 nanometers.

Zane Long

Chemistry Graduate Student

B.S. Chemistry, UCI, 2018

zglong@uci.edu

Fun Fact: Zane prides himself on unique experiences and loves sharing that he drank the famous sourtoe cocktail (shot of whiskey garnished with a mummified human toe) while visiting Dawson City, Canada on vacation.

Amanda Abiad

Chemistry Graduate Student

B.S. Biochemistry, Cal State Fullerton, 2019

aabiad@uci.edu

Fun Fact: Amanda is a semi-professional cosplayer who won awards for dressing as Nyalathotep at a local event!

Collin Sroge

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Student

B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue, 2019

csroge@uci.edu

Fun Fact:

Matthew Jimenez

Chemistry Graduate Student

B.S.Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UC San Diego, 2021

mdjimen1@uci.edu

Fun Fact:

Jaewon Suk

Chemical Biology Graduate Student

B.S. Biochemistry, UC Santa Barbara, 2020

jaewos1@uci.edu

Fun Fact: TBD


Undergraduate Researchers


Nicholas Whitman

Major: Chemistry (2023)

Bianka Peirce

Major: Chemistry (2023)

Danah Hijaz

Major: Chemistry (2023)

Jocelin Martinez

Major: Chemistry and Public Health (2023)

Fun Fact: Jocelin has a tik tok account dedicated to high-end smoothie making

Mark Hadadian

Major: Chemistry (2023)

Fun Fact: Mark cultivates his own bonsai peach trees

Belen Lopez

Major: Chemistry (2023)

Jonathan Le

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2024)

Kaylee Grace Chiou

Major: Chemistry (2024)

Thomas Cao

Major: Chemistry (2024)


Honorary Pet Members


Neptune

Rescue from Newport Beach Animal Shelter. Loves people, food, and running. Thankful neither of his parents work with lasers…he doesn’t trust them. Follows the central dogema. Ironically hates water. @pugneptune

Timothy

Is betta testing the lab to see if it will tank. So far he feels that being in school is going swimmingly, even though he sometimes flakes. Sincerely loves water, some might even say it breathes life into him.